LO's GI conditions

Question 1

Outline signs & symptoms common to GI disorders

Answer 1

• abdominal pain or heartburn
• nausea/ vomiting
• weight loss
• bloating
• abdominal bleeding
• diarrhoea or constipation
• indigestion

Question 2

acute gastritis

Answer 2

acute

• damage to the surface epithelium of the gastric mucosa caused by certain drugs, poisons and infections
• signs and symptoms are nausea/ vomiting, anorexia/ loss of appetite, bloating/ gas and feeling full in the stomach
• should heal within a few days, especially by reducing or avoiding causing factors

Question 3

Describe the pathophysiology, including causes/risk factors, signs & symptoms and complications/implications, of peptic ulcer disease

Answer 3

• they are breaks in the mucosa of the stomach or duodenum (more common). this exposes the deeper layers of the GI tract wall to gastric acid and digestive enzymes which can then erode away those deeper layers
  caused by
• medications
• H. pylori bacteria
• increase in stomach acid (stress, alcohol, caffeine, smoking and spicy foods)
  signs and symptoms are
• epigastric discomfort or pain, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, changes in the stools, bleeding, anaemia, perforation of ulcers, strictures, scarring
  can cause
• iron deficiency anemia
  management can be
• biopsy
• rapid urease test for H. pylori
• high dose proton pump inhibitors to reduce acid in stomach
• endoscopy
  complications
• perforation which causes a hole in the stomach
• bleeding which can cause a large haemorrhage and is life threatening
• scarring and strictures which can narrow the pylori and the food can not drain out of the stomach

Question 4

Describe hernia, including possible complications

Answer 4

• hernia is an abnormal protrusion of tissue through an opening
  complications are
• strangulation where the portion of the organ becomes cut off reducing blood flow and leading to tissue necrosis
• intestinal obstruction where the portion of the organ is restircted and therefore intestinal contents can not pass through

Question 5

Describe intestinal (bowel) obstruction, including examples of mechanical or functional obstructions, and identify associated signs & symptoms

Answer 5

- occurs when any condition prevents the normal flow of contents through the intestines
mechanical obstructions are
- abnormalities affecting the structure of the intestines 
- foreign bodies within the intestines 
- impacted feces 
- tumours 
- gallstones 
functional obstructions are when there is a decrease/ stop in gut motility 
- abdominal surgery complications 
- infections 
- chemical or electrolyte imbalances 
- intestinal ischemia 
signs and symptoms are 
- abdominal pain or cramping 
- nausea/ vomiting 
- abdominal distention or bloating 
- constipation 
- diarrhoea

Question 6

Compare and contrast ulcerative colitis & Crohn’s disease

Answer 6

chron’s disease

• inflammation affecting all layers of the GI tract wall common in the proximal colon
• can lead to fissures, fistulas, adhesions and damage to the enteric nervous system
• can result in malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies

ulcerative colitis

• inflammation of the mucosa of the GI tract wall common in the distal colon
• can lead to the formation of haemorrhoids, anal fissures or abscesses
• haemorrhage is a complication

signs and symptoms for both are

• stomach pain
• tiredness
• fever
• decreased appetite
• night sweats
• weight loss